The Infant and Toddler Program serves children ages 0 to 24 months.  Program hours are 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, 5 days per week.  

 

Infant Schedule

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The hours for the Infant & Toddler Community are 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM.  Children may arrive and leave anytime during those hours. However, all children should arrive by 9:00 AM.

The daily schedule of the Infant Community varies in terms of timing based on the needs of each child.

 

The following is a list of activities that will take place in the class with timing based on the need of the child:

 

Feeding: Infants will be fed on demand and work towards a regular schedule of breakfast, snack, lunch, snack, and dinner depending on the child’s arrival and departure times. Older infants, not taking a bottle will have breakfast (if applicable), lunch and snack-on-demand as needed, generally once in the morning and once in the afternoon.

 

Sleeping: Nap schedule in the Infant Community will be on demand, according to the needs of the child.

 

Tummy Time:  Infants will have 30 minutes of time on their stomach each day (until they are rolling over, crawling, etc.) to explore their environment, and to strengthen their necks and upper body. This time will be broken into smaller increments as necessary for the child.

 

Work Period: The Work Period in an Infant Montessori class is not a defined block of time as it is at the Toddler and Two’s level.  In the Infant Community, the child is working any time they are awake.  The activities in the room are designed to stimulate gross and fine motor skills, social-emotional and intellectual needs of the infant.  Free movement and maximum exploration are promoted throughout the environment with materials and furniture at the infant’s level.  Lessons and activities are designed to build both gross and fine motor skills such as: grasping, batting, reaching, rolling over, crawling, standing, cruising and walking.  Activities to boost language development such a teachers singing, talking, naming objects, describing pictures and reading are integrated as well as activities that encourage spatial awareness, sensory exploration, toilet training, and the beginnings of self-care.  Infants are also introduced to basic musical instruments and art.

 

Comfort: All of the infants will be given regular, physical and emotional comfort, as needed through warm, responsive contact such as rubbing them on the back, hugging, and holding them in their laps. Positive interactions like smiling, laughing, and cuddling is encouraged.

 

Outdoor Playtime: Weather permitting, the infants will spend at least 30 minutes outside, twice a day. The time at which this occurs may vary based on the sleeping needs of the class. Outside activities may include but are not limited to picnics, stroller walks, time on a blanket, etc.